John Leavitt, 89, of Marcus, Iowa passed away Tuesday evening, December 27, 2016 at 11:23 p.m. at his home in Marcus.

Services will be held of Friday, December 30th at 4 pm at Grace United Methodist Church in Marcus. Pastor Ron Rice will officiate. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion F.I. Goodburn Post #517. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday December 29th with the family present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. at the Grace United Methodist Church in Marcus. Visitation will resume at the church one hour prior to services on Friday. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be directed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Smile Train. John elected to donate his body to the University of South Dakota School of Medicine.

John W. Leavitt was born January 26, 1927 in Marcus, Iowa, the son of Roger T. and Bernice (Briggs) Leavitt. John was involved in sports in high school but during his senior year of high school he enlisted in the Navy rather than be drafted. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. John spent a winter at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis as well as a year at Morningside. He came back to Marcus, Iowa and started a 66 year career at Marcus Lumber.

In August of 1950 John and Donna Simons were united in marriage. To this union, 4 children were born. John and Donna spent 25 years wintering in Arizona and then Texas. John has many hobbies over the years namely photography, woodcarving, flying radio controlled planes, sailing, camping, stained glass, working in his yard and getting his pilots' license. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. John served on the Farmers' State Bank board for 25 years, Heartland Care Center Building Committee, Methodist Church Building committee, Medical Board spending many hours recruiting a doctor for Marcus as well as receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tri-State Retail Lumberman's Association.


John is survived by his best friend and wife, Donna of 66 years, his children : Steve and Sheila Leavitt of Ankeny, Bob and Lorna Leavitt, Jim and Belinda Leavitt of Marcus, Dean and Mary Sand of Sioux Falls, SD, grandchildren Brian and Vanessa Leavitt, David and Kelly Gisch, Greg and Melissa Leavitt, Jessica Leavitt, Clay and Kate Leavitt, Grant and Rachel Leavitt, Kent Leavitt, Kevin and Sarah Leavitt, and Lydia Sand. Great grandchildren Noah and Luke Leavitt, Aaron and Isaac Gisch, Jack and Gus Leavitt, Grayson Leavitt, Johnathan, David, and Autumn Leavitt. Sister-in-law Elaine Leavitt, brothers and sister-in-law Marvin Simons, David and Beverly Drefke, Julie Sand, Ric and Bonnie Collins, plus several nieces and nephews.


John was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Roger, as well as his in-laws Donald and Martha Simons, brothers-in-law Wayne and Charles Simons as well as a sister-in-law JoAnn Simons.